Norris, on a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings, and fellow Class AAA Round Rock righthander Yorman Bazardo are two of the hottest pitching prospects in the Pacific Coast League.

“I didn’t get to see spring training too much this year, so I didn’t get to see some of the guys throw,” Roy Oswalt said. “I heard that Norris had good stuff, and hopefully he can put it together and get here to stay. It seems like this organization was turning it around when we had a great minor league system, and everybody started getting up here, and we started winning.

“That’s why in ’04 and ’05 we went to the playoffs and World Series. You had talent come through your organization to get here and help.”

Norris, 24, has been stellar. A day before the Astros learned Mike Hampton had to go on the DL, Norris threw eight scoreless innings. He followed that with eight scoreless innings Saturday, dropping his ERA to a PCL-best 2.11 and earning the league’s Pitcher of the Week award for the period ending June 21.

Paulino, 25, and Norris, who were teammates at Round Rock to start the season, have similar repertoires. Paulino throws a fastball, slider, changeup and occasional curveball. Until this season, Norris had mainly been a fastball-slider guy, but he has worked on developing his changeup.

“If he’s going to be a starter here, it’s really difficult to do it with two pitches,” Astros pitching coach Dewey Robinson said of Norris. “Adding that third pitch is a key. And with Bud, for me it’s always been about keeping your emotions under control. We saw some of that in spring training, and that just comes with maturity, experience and being in the situation and starting to have confidence in yourself.”

Since he was shut down for a few days with forearm tenderness after his start June 4, Norris has responded with two starts and 16 scoreless innings while continuing to blossom under Round Rock pitching coach Burt Hooton.

“Game management is a key for me, and I’ve talked a lot with Burt about it,” Norris said. “He sees little things that sometimes I might not see.”

Hooton was the Astros pitching coach who ushered Oswalt to prominence. He also helped fine-tune Paulino before sending him back up to the majors this season. Now Norris could be the next arm up from Round Rock.

“You got to wait for when the time is right,” Norris said. “Whenever they think the time is right for me, I’ll be more than happy to help.”

Paulino will throw a simulated game today, and he is a candidate to start Saturday against the Detroit Tigers if Backe doesn’t get the nod or Norris doesn’t get a call.

Either way, Paulino understands the organization needs young pitchers like him to get the club on track.

“Truly, I’m thankful of the opportunities I’ve had in Houston,” Paulino said. “If I’m their future, truly I just want to do my job and learn from guys who have been here longer.”

Paulino essentially missed all of last season with arm problems, but he spent nearly three months around the major league club while rehabbing. Norris’ development also was slowed last season while he was shut down for two months with an elbow injury.

“Although I couldn’t pitch, I was learning by watching them,” Paulino said. “I’m better prepared mentally this year. I want to show I’m ready. I’m confident, and more importantly, I think I can help the Houston Astros.”